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Ask for an investigation into peasant leader killings in Paraguay

Environmental Justice

Ask for an investigation into peasant leader killings in Paraguay
2 April 2013

Join our call for justice and help protect other peasant leaders.

Peasant farmers are on the front line of the resistance to the expansion of soy plantations.

Those that stand in the way of powerful vested interests face threats and intimidation.

Since September 2012 three peasant leaders have been killed apparently because of their defence of the peasant rights:

Sixto Perez (September 2012)
Vidal Vega (December 2012)
Benjamin "Toto" Lezcano (February 2013).

Some local organisations fear the number of recent killings indicate a deliberate strategy to weaken the peasant movement.

Threats and intimidation

Following the killing of Benjamin Lezcano - CODEHUPY - the coordinating body of a coalition of human rights and environmental groups in Paraguay, visited the area.

Local sources told them that despite being nearby the police only arrived at the scene two hours later. In the meantime his killers escaped.

One month after his killing investigations do not appear to have progressed.

Nine other activists in the area are reported to have received threats presumed to be linked to their activities.

In March 2013 threats were also sent to Javier Silva, the Director of a community radio station - Huhua Ñandú - and a colleague.

Take action

Join our partners Sobrevivencia (Friends of the Earth Paraguay) in calling for an investigation into these killings and for action to be taken to protect other peasant activists.

Your letters will be sent to the Minister of Justice, the Human Rights Directorate of the Judiciary and the President of the Senate Permanent Human Rights Commission in Paraguay.

Call for an investigation into peasant leader killings and for action to protect other peasant activists

Excelencia,

Me dirijo a usted para expresarle mi profunda preocupación por el homicidio de tres líderes campesinos en Paraguay: Benjamín Lezcano, el 19 de febrero de 2013, Vidal Vega, el 2 de diciembre de 2012 y Sixto Pérez, el 1 de septiembre de 2012. Lo insto a garantizar una investigación exhaustiva, independiente e imparcial sobre estos homicidios, y que los responsables sean debidamente procesados. Defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos como Benjamín Lezcano, Vidal Vega y Sixto Pérez juegan un papel fundamental en la defensa y protección de los derechos de los ciudadanos. La labor de estos defensores es conocida y respetada en todo el mundo. He recibido con preocupación denuncias de que otros y otras activistas de derechos humanos en Paraguay están bajo amenaza, entre ellos activistas campesinos en la localidad de Benjamin Lezcano y miembros de Hugua Ñandú, una emisora de radio comunitaria. Exhorto al gobierno de Paraguay a adoptar de forma urgente todas las medidas necesarias para garantizar el derecho a la vida, la integridad y la seguridad de las defensoras y defensores de derechos humanos y su familiares. Asimismo, me hago eco con gran preocupación de las acusaciones de parcialidad y falta de rigor en las investigaciones llevadas a cabo sobre 14 personas por su presunta participación en los acontecimientos de junio de 2012 en Curuguaty. Le insto a disponer que los adultos y menores que están siendo juzgados o en espera de juicio sean puestos en libertad mientras se lleva a cabo una nueva investigación. Lo exhorto a asegurar que el papel de las fuerzas de seguridad en los asesinatos de junio 2012 en Curuguaty sea objeto de una nueva investigación, rigorosa y imparcial, y que se lleve ante la justicia a cualquier miembro de las fuerzas de seguridad responsable de violaciones de derechos humanos tales como ejecuciones extrajudiciales, tortura y tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes y el uso desproporcionado de la fuerza letal. Atentamente, ---------- (English version) I am writing to express my concern at the recent killing of three peasant leaders in Paraguay: Benjamin Lezcano on 19 February 2013, Vidal Vega on 2 December 2012 and Sixto Perez on 1 September 2012. I call on you to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that the killings are thoroughly and impartially investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice in accordance with international standards for fair trial. Human rights defenders such as Benjamin Lezcano, Vidal Vega and Sixto Perez play a fundamental role in protecting the rights of others and their work is known and respected across the world. I am concerned at reports that other human rights activists in Paraguay are reported to be under threat, including a number of peasant activists in home area of Benjamin Lezcano, and members of a community radio station, Hugua Ñandú. I urge the Paraguayan government to urgently adopt measures to guarantee the right to life, integrity and safety of human rights defenders and their families. I am also concerned at allegations that the investigation which has led to the charging of 14 people for their role in the events of June 2012 in Curuguaty has been neither impartial nor thorough. I urge you to release those on trial while new investigations are carried out. In particular, I call on you to ensure that the role of the security forces in the June 2012 killings in Curuguaty be the subject of a new, thorough and impartial investigation and that any member of the security forces found to be responsible for any human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions, torture and ill-treatment and excessive use of lethal force be brought to justice. Yours sincerely,

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A field in Paraguay where people have been moved off their land

Environmental Justice

Ask for an investigation into peasant leader killings in Paraguay2 April 2013

Threats and intimidation

Take action

Call for an investigation into peasant leader killings and for action to protect other peasant activists

Get involved

Ask for an investigation into peasant leader killings in Paraguay
2 April 2013